Aboriginal Community


Making Indigenous Engagement Economically Sustainable

Fluctuating resource values and shifting regulations needn’t spell the end of joint initiatives and outreach programming.
By Debra Jenkins

Many resource development projects across Canada – past, present, and future – come together with beautiful language about how all Indigenous and First Nations stakeholders will be involved and engaged. However, the realities on the ground are not always as rosy as the press releases would lead one to believe. One big reason why things fall to pieces or limp along has to do with the economic basis for meaningful Indigenous participation.

The end goal for any organization is equity, stability, and predictability i....